Rabbit corneas were stored in commercially prepared media (K-Sol, M-K, CSM, or Dexsol) for 3, 6, 9, or 12 days. Corneas stored in each medium showed decreased post-storage deturgescence with increased storage time. This effect was most pronounced in corneas stored in K-Sol, followed by those in M-K, CSM, and Dexsol. Corneas stored in K-Sol also exhibited the fastest swelling rate when cultured in the presence of 20 microM ouabain, followed by those in M-K, Dexsol, and CSM. An estimate of the active ion transport capacity of each experimental group was made by determining the area between each group's corneal thickness profiles in the presence and absence of ouabain. Corneas stored in M-K, K-Sol, or CSM retained approximately 70% of control activity after 3 days storage and 65% after 6 days storage. Corneas stored in Dexsol had 92% of control activity after 3 days of storage, 78% after 6 days, and 44% after 12 days.